"...Ahhhh! Damn, I'm already too late!"
I really thought I'd wake up in time. Seriously. I told myself I'd be reliable just this once. But no. I'm not.
Today's a big day. I've been waiting for this for ages. I'm more than ready. Overprepared, even. There's no way I'll lose.
But now—I have to catch that train.
I rush out the door, heart pounding. Just as I take off, someone calls out:
"Good mornin', Sein!"
It's the old lady, Mathilde.
"Ahh, Aunt Mathilde, g'od mornin'. Sorry, I'm late—see ya!"
God. There's no way I'm catching the train now.
I bite my lip. Okay. I'll take the other shortcut. But if I go that way... I'll have to cross paths with him.
Damn. There's no other WAY.
I sneak around, moving as quietly as I can. If he sees me, I'm screwed. Why does it have to be today?
Wait—what's that? A carriage. Perfect. I slip inside quickly and conceal my presence.
Yes. This'll work. This will definitely work. HHHHHH. Sometimes I think I'm a genius. Well—it's not like I'm not.
When I reach—
"SEIN! You bloody demon!"
A voice booms.
"I told you—I'd beat your ass if you ever showed your face here again! You think I forgot what happened the other day? You cost me FIVE silver bolts! Do you know how hard it is to catch those red chickens?! Hein?!"
Oh crap.
"It can't be helped," he grumbles. "You'll pay me back, or you'll work for it. Piece by damn piece. Let's see… That'll take... three. Yeah—three. Now choose."
"H-hi, Mr. Alaric. Emm… As you can see, I was going to pay the debt, but y'know, I'm totally broke right now. If you can just—please—give me a little time? Pleaaaaaaaaase?"
"NO WAY!" he barks. "You'll return the money or work for three days. I will NOT be lenient! Got it?!"
"Whaaaaaaat?! Three days?! Are you joking?! I thought you meant three hours! No way! I'm in a rush! Can we postpone this?! PLEASE! Today's important—I'm already too late! See ya!!"
Before he can reply, I jump onto the carriage and race toward the Soul Train. No more time to waste.
Huh. For a second there, I really thought I was busted. Like—for real.
"I don't think you understood me." His voice darkens. "You're not leaving this damn place 'til you pay me back. I don't care if you've got money or if you're in a hurry."
His aura is rising. The ground trembles beneath me.
"Money or your life. Choose. At three—I'll attack. I won't hesitate."
Wait. Is he serious?! He's reaching for something—wait, no way.
He's drawing his Soul Blade?!
Oh my God. For real?!
I stare in disbelief. I thought only a few could manifest soul blades!
And this geezer—he's got one of them?! What the f—
"Wait," I say quickly, eyes wide. I move to dodge—
"You're a goner. RIGHT!" He threatens.
I narrowly avoid his devastating strike. My body skids across the ground.
Damn. I didn't want to resort to this... but I will.
"Fuck! I never tried using it. But I'll do it. After all, this is a live-or-die moment."
"I see... you've chosen to use your blade." His voice turns solemn. "I commend your audacity. For showing such ablaze spirit... I shall not hold back."
He lifts his weapon, light gathering at the tip.
"Die Jungfrau Maria! This is my Holy Hammer—named after the Virgin Mary herself."
I freeze.
"The legend. You know it?" he smirks. "Few have lived after seeing this hammer. I will not allow impurity to survive. But I promise—I'll make it quick—"
"ARE YOU NUTS?!" I shout. "I was gonna do what any real man does in situations like this—LOOK BEHIND YOU! It's a golden fowl! One of the very rare kinds you like!"
He pauses.
Hah. He'll fall for this. Even if he's crazy strong, I grew up in this town—I know everyone's weaknesses.
For him, catching fowls is like... sleeping with the most beautiful girl in the world. Nothing brings him more joy.
He looks around, eyes shining.
"Where?! Where are those pretty fowls?!"
He's searching like a madman.
Good. That's my cue.
I leap toward the opposite side—full speed.
This won't be easy.
But these trees? I grew up on them. I know them like I know my own feet.
I'm almost in the air when—
"Where are the fowls?! I see nothi—YOU...SON OF A DEMON!"
Too late. He knows he's been tricked.
"You took me for a joke?! WHERE ARE YOU?! You will not—"
He spots me, midair.
"Ah—there you are. Hanging in the air. Good timin'. I'll explode your body into tiny morsels! Be ready! HAVE AT THEE! Die Jungfrau Maria! Special Move: ATOMKRATER!!"
Holy. Shit.
It's a massive wave—crashing toward me like the wrath of the gods.
How the hell does an old man have this much power?!
I can't dodge. I'm literally hanging in the air.
It can't be helped.
I'll use it.
"I'm sorry, gramps. Your wish won't happen."
I take a deep breath. My hand reaches for the chain.
"I'm ready. Fangar. First Chain—RELEASE!"
Before the wave swallows me, I redirect it to the sky.
Boom.
It blasts upward, tearing a huge hole in the sky itself.
I land hard, panting. My hands shake.
That... would've killed me. I still can't bend my blade properly. I was a goner for sure.
But the distance between us has grown. I have a chance.
Pfff. I'm exhausted.
Just need... a moment...
Huff...
Wait...
I forgot something.
What was it? Something crucial...
What was it?
I can't remember.
...OH GOD.
"THE FUCKING TRAIN!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Somewhere in the shade—
"Was that not a bit too reckless, Jackob?" the old woman asked. "Huh, you were watching, Mathilde? Well, I merely wished to ascertain whether he is truly ready to leave this town. After all, he is bound for a place where only the powerful gather. The world offers no mercy to the weak."
"Regardless, that was far too excessive. The boy still can't use the blade even to parry, let alone strike or fight like a true blade master. I have always opposed this idea. God only knows what will come of it. We are sending a berserk wolf into the outside world. I hope we do not come to regret it."
"Ah, look at you—accusing me of unfair excess, yet from your words, you are hardly in a position to blame me."
"I am aware, and I do not deny it. But all is for the common good. Let us not forget our true mission. By the way, I sent Amy to watch over him—I entrusted her with a chain in case the seal is broken."
"How laughable. Nay, forgive me—I had forgotten how cunning you were in your youth, Vixen Mathilde. Still, I pray God his soul may find eternal peace wherever he goes."
With that, they parted ways, their figures fading into the morning mist.
Finally... I made it.
The train station.
My stomach growled like a beast in a cage.
God, I'm starving. I need food—anything edible would do.
I pat my pockets. Empty—Not a single coin. Not even bronze.
Guess I'll just ask someone… maybe one or two pieces. That should be enough for bread.
I glance around, spotting an old man nearby. "Um, excuse me, sir, could you please—AAAH—!"
He walks right past me. Not even a glance. I sigh and turn toward a woman instead. "Miss! Hey, miss, can you please spare—" She stops, glares at me with disgust, and spits, "Begone, little pest!"
"What?! You—How—!"
But my voice falters. My body feels heavy. My head foggy. It's like all my energy has been drained away. "Damn it... I can't think straight."
If no one will help me... there's only one thing left to do. Just thinking of it makes me grit my teeth—I'll steal something. Yeah. I know it's wrong, but I have to eat. Today… today's important.
Across the square, I spot a small pastry shop. Inside, trays of golden croissants glisten under the sunlight. Chocolate croissants… maybe one or two. Enough to get me moving again.
I step forward—only to collide with someone hard.
"Oi! Watch where you're going, idiot!" He eyes me.
A boy about my age stands before me. His clothes look like they were stolen from a parade, and his hair… his hair is shouting louder than his mouth."You're the one who bumped into me," I shoot back. "What's with that outfit—and your hair? It's grotesque."
I try to walk off, but he grabs my shoulder. "You… peasant! What did you just say about my hair?" His voice tightens. "I can allow anything. But insult my hair—and you'll pay for it. Apologize. Now."
I stare at him, deadpan.
"Your ears work fine. I said your hair and clothes are loud and strange. See ya."
He freezes. Then the air shifts. I sense a murder intent prickling my back neck. "What's this feeling…? Something's coming."
I turn to find He's ready to draw his sword and point it straight at me. "Impudente, bastardo! Hear me and heed my voice—Guardian of the Heavens: Galaxymus Primus!"
A blinding aura erupts from his blade. My eyes widen. "What the hell—?! Why does everyone suddenly have a Soul Blade?!"
I react instinctively, releasing a chain. "Fenrir—First Chain: Release! Counterattack!"
Steel clashes against steel. Sparks explode. But I blocked it… barely. "What the hell's wrong with you?!" I yell.
He grins madly. "I'm not done yet! First Tier—Astral Meteorite!"
Shit. I can't reflect that in time—! My mind races. Think. Think! Then, a whisper. "Use me… Use me…"
"What? Who's there?!" I shout. "Show yourself!" No time. The meteorite's light is seconds away. "Oie, strange guy! Whoever you are, stop screwing around! I've got a train to catch!"
The boy's voice roars back, wild with anger. "Like I care! You insulted me! Second Tier—Infernal Hole!"
The ground splits open, heat bursting like molten fire. "Hot—too hot! I can't move! Is this… really it? Am I going to die here?"
Then, the whisper again—louder now. "Use me. Use me!"
"Who are you?! Where—" The world shatters. Now, it's darkness. Cold air. Chains rattling.
I'm standing in a vast void, nothing but shadows and despair.
Before me—something massive. It's a black cloud, bound to the ground by glowing chains.
"Here I am," the voice booms. "I am you. And you are me. We are one. Now hurry—use me! I'll save your sorry butt this once."
The world flashes white. And I open my eyes—and suddenly back in reality.
A surge of power explodes from my spine, racing through my veins. My arms burn with heat, and then—Something manifests.
Twin curved blades, bound to long chains wrapping my forearms. They glint like fangs under the sunlight.
"Strange!? I feel…They seem… familiar."
"Blades of Bers—Nordic Fangs! First Attack—Titan's Wrath!" I swing them through the air; consequently, a roaring whirlwind bursts from my blades, devouring his Infernal Hole and erasing it completely.
But it doesn't stop. The wind grows, spiralling out of control, screaming like a beast. "Crap! It's heading for the town!"
I could run now. Escape. Catch the train. And pursue my dream!
But… "No. There are innocent people there."
The boy staggers to his feet, eyes wide. "Incredible! How did you—?! What!? Where' are you going?! Cut it out! We're not done! Fourth—No…Fifth Tier—Mini Nova!"
I dash into the forest, dodging spheres of light that melt everything they touch. "Stop firing, idiot! I'm trying to catch that whirlwind!" He smirks. "Oh? So, if I stop it, I'll be stronger than you, right? Bellissimo!"
He charges ahead, faster than humanly possible. But the storm's massive—swallowing trees, dust, even houses at the horizon. I clench my fists. I have to stop it.
"Alright! Heed my voice and come forth, Twin Fangs!" What? Nothing. "What?! Why isn't it working?!"
I look back. "Hey, strange-haircut boy! How do you summon your blade?!"
"Bastard! I'll kill you once this is over!"
"Yeah, sure! But tell me first!"
"Hell, if I know! I'm busy!"
The storm looms closer. Maybe… maybe I can talk to that thing again. I close my eyes and focus on the whispers.
The world fades, and again I am sucked in the dark realm. "Hey, dark cloud! I need the blades again. Hurry!"
The black cloud laughs, voice echoing across the void. "You dare command me, mortal? Know thy place—or I'll devour you!"
I push forward—but a violent force throws me back. I then jolt awake. The boy's on the ground, barely conscious. "Hey! What happened?!"
He glares weakly. "Shut up… just catching my breath. But this thing… it's too big. I'm running out of energy…"
He collapses.
"Great. Now what?!" I clench my teeth. I'll stop it. I made it: I'll stop it or die trying!
But— "My body won't move. What the—? Why can't I move?!"
"Futile," a familiar voice whispers, dark and calm. "I'm restraining you. I can't allow you to die. Not yet."
"You again?!"
"Relax. Don't look at me like that. I'll lend you my fangs—but you'll owe me. Release one chain. Let me feel again."
"You've gotta be kidding—"
"Nay. Time ticks away, mortal. Tick-tack-tock."
He's right. The storm's nearly upon the town. "Fine! Tell me what to do!"
"Return to my realm. Free the left chain."
I do as he says.
The moment I release it, the void screams. The chained cloud erupts, darkness spilling like blood into the air.
Screams echo all around me. Then—silence.
When I return, the blades are back, burning in my hands. "Alright…" I exhale. "Let's end this."
I swing the blades with all my strength. Whirlwind against whirlwind. Power collides—both merging into one unstoppable storm.
"Dammit! Hoy! Demon cloud! Help me! I need more power!"
No response. And my body burns. My mind fades. "Aaaaaaaaah! It's… taking… over… me…!"
And then—Everything goes black, and I faint.
Next time on Soul Blade Brawl Z: The Crash of Legends— "Lo and behold! I am the son of Maria; ergo, I am the strength."